The Sudan Hornets’ varsity football team overcame a slow start on Friday night to take down the Plains Cowboys, 46- 14, for a Homecoming victory.
With the win, the Hornets improve to 3-3 overall heading into district play.
The Hornets received to open the contest, as senior Lane Wilson took the opening kick-off up to their own 36- yard, where the offense would take over to begin the game.
They wasted no time finding the endzone, as senior running back, Rustin Penrod, took the hand-off up the middle, breaking loose for a 64-yard rushing touchdown. The PAT by Abram Rodriguez was good, putting the Hornets up, 7-0.
Cooper Hamilton fielded the following kick-off for Plains and returned it up near midfield to give the Cowboys a first and 10 at their own 44- yard line to begin their first offensive drive.
Sudan was flagged for being offsides on first down and Alberto Morales carried the ball up the middle on first down, picking up a yard before being brought down by Jordie Bellar. The Cowboys were flagged for back-to-back false start penalties, backing them up to second and 14 from their own 40-yard line.
Cole Reynolds connected with Tyler Vargas on a pass on second and long, but he was brought down for a one yard loss by senior quarterback, Bode Box. On third and long, Reynolds connected with Hamilton who took the ball down to the Sudan 33-yard line before being brought down by Lane Wilson.
A bad snap was covered by Reynolds, as the Cowboys took a time out with 8:46 remaining in the opening quarter. Out of the break, Reynolds kept it himself up the middle, picking up six yards. On the next play, a screen pass to Marcos Vargas was incomplete setting up fourth and long.
Plains elected to go for it and the gamble paid off, as Reynolds heaved a pass toward the far sideline that was hauled in by Hamilton for a first down, down to the Sudan 12-yard line.
Three plays later, Reynolds punched it in for a six-yard touchdown run with 6:26 remaining in the quarter. The two-point conversion run by Reynolds was also good, putting them in front, 8-7.
Senior, Callen Cannon fielded the kick-off from Plains and took it down the far sideline for a touchdown, but the play was negated by a block in the back penalty, bringing it all the way back to the Hornets’ 22-yard line.
With their momentum deflated, the Hornets’ offense went three-and-out, as Penrod punted the ball away with just under four minutes to play in the first quarter.
Plains took over and was able to take the ball just inside Sudan territory, but they too were forced to punt on fourth and 12 with 1:45 to play in the quarter.
A solid punt return by Lane Wilson set the Hornets up with first and 10 at their own 35- yard line, as Penrod carried the ball for no gain on first down. On the very next play, Box got the edge and sprinted down the Sudan sideline for a 65- yard rushing touchdown with 51 seconds remaining in the quarter. The two-point conversion run by Penrod was no good, leaving the Hornets in front, 13-8.
Plains sustained a long drive into the second quarter, but they stalled out at the Sudan 18-yard line, as Reynolds pass on fourth and long was tipped by Jeremiah Castillo. The ball was caught by Reynolds, but he was sacked by Castillo for a turnover on downs with 6:37 to play in the first half.
Sudan, however, was unable to capitalize on the turnover, as they went three-and-out, punting the ball away with 5:36 to play in the half.
The defensive battle continued as the Hornets too forced a Plains three-and-out with 4:33 remaining in the quarter.
The score would stand, 13- 8, going into the locker room at halftime with the Hornets out in front.
Plains got the ball to open the second half and a fumbled hand-off on first down was covered by Reynolds, backing them up to second and 15 from their own 27-yard line. The Cowboys were flagged for a false start and Reynolds pass on the next play was incomplete, intended for Marcos Vargas, leaving them with a third and 20.
Reynolds connected with Morales over the middle on third down for 17 yards, but on fourth and short, Reynolds kept it himself and was stopped short of the sticks for a turnover on downs with 10:32 remaining in the third quarter.
Sudan took over in Plains territory, but on first down a low snap rolled past Box, who picked up and scrambled before throwing the ball out of bounds to avoid a big loss. Box hit Lane Wilson on a wide receiver screen to the right side, but it was called back for a holding penalty, backing them up to second and 14.
On second and long Box carried the ball around the right side, drawing a facemask penalty on the Cowboys. The Hornets has a first and 10 at the Plains 16-yard line after the penalty and Cannon capped off the drive with a 16-yard touchdown run to make the score, 19-8, after the failed two-point conversion with 9:36 to play in the quarter.
The Cowboy’s offensive struggles continued, as their next drive was derailed on second down when Reynolds was picked off by Penrod with just under nine minutes to play in the quarter.
Sudan needed just two plays to find the endzone once again, as Box kept it himself on second down, cutting back up the middle for a 59-yard touchdown run. The PAT by Rodriguez was good, extending their lead to, 26-8, with 8:31 to play in the third quarter.
The stingy Hornet defense forced a three-and out, as Reynolds punted the ball away with 7:29 to play in the quarter.
Sudan took over at their own 40-yard line, as Penrod got the carry on first down, but he was stopped for a loss of two on the play. Cannon took a carry around the left side for four yards, and Box took the ball around the left side for three more yards to set up, fourth and five for Sudan. They elected to go for it, but Cannon was stopped short of the sticks for a turnover on downs with just over five minutes remaining in the quarter.
The Cowboys were unable to get anything going, as Reynolds again had to punt the ball away. This time it was fielded by Lane Wilson, who took it 38-yards the other way to set the Hornets up with a first and 10 just inside Plains territory.
However, the Hornets were unable to capitalize as they turned it over on downs, after a pass from Box was dropped by Lane Wilson on fourth down with 2:47 to play in the quarter.
The Sudan defense continued to be locked in, as they forced another turnover on downs with 1:32 to play in the third quarter.
On the very next play, Cannon took a hand-off up the middle breaking loose for a 45- yard touchdown run. The PAT by Rodriguez was good, making the score, 33-8, with 1:22 to play in the quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Hornets came away with a strip sack on third and 16 recovering the ball at the Plains 32- yard line with 11:33 to play in the game.
The Hornets were unable to getting anything going, as they were plagued by penalties on the drive, forcing Penrod to punt the ball away on fourth and a mile. The punt was blocked by Creed Frerich, giving the Cowboys great field position to begin their next drive.
Despite being backed up in their own territory the Hornet defense did not budge, as they forced another turnover on downs with 7:40 to play in the contest.
Sudan took over at their own 38-yard line, as Penrod took the hand-off to the left cutting it up field for a 62-yard touchdown with 7:08 remaining. The PAT by Rodriguez was no good, leaving the score, 39-8.
The Cowboys had the ball at their own 35-yard line, but their fortunes did not get any better, as Reynolds was picked off again, this time by Cannon, who took it 38 yards the other way for the pick-six, with 6:47 remaining. The PAT by Rodriguez was good, making the score, 46-8.
Plains would score on their next possession, as Tyler Vargas carried the ball around the right side for a 15-yard touchdown, but the Hornets went on to take the contest, 46-14.
The Hornets totaled 330 rushing yards, all of which came on the ground.
The Hornets will open district play next week against Bovina on the road.
Kick-off is slated for 7 p.m. at Mustang Stadium.